COMMENT: Having never attended a Myer Fashion Lunch, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Women come from far and wide for this annual event, which is a two-course lunch combined with a Myer fashion showcase. I was more than a little overwhelmed when I arrived to see 500 woman dressed to the nines… The combined noise alone was something else! The fashion was expected but the grand scale of this event blew me away. Floor to ceiling velvet curtains were drawn to reveal a ballroom filled with tables and flowers, with one mega runway dividing the room down the centre. I made my way through the glamorous crowd to find my table, which happened to be the very same one Jen Hawkins was seated at- talk about the best table in the house! As a guest of Myer, I probably should have expected something this major but was literally speechless by the magnitude of the day. It was The Bachelor’s Nikki (fresh from the finale controversy) who was the cherry on top of my gluten-free desert that cemented this day as an actual killer. The Myer Fashion Lunch has become a highlight event of Telstra Perth Fashion Festival due to the winning combination of indulgent fashion and food.

COMMENT:
There are many ways you can ‘do’ Chapel. Some people might choose to enjoy the thriving nightlife at 3am and others will sweat it out 9am on a Sunday. I personally don’t partake in any such activities, but at least you now know you can should you wish to. As long time locals to the Chapel Street Precinct, we thought it was time to show some of our fave haunts along the famous strip in time for the silly season – aka Spring Racing – so you can plan your ultimate day out while still getting everything you need.
Over this week and next (there are so many options I had to spread them out!), I’ve put together some of my fave places to hit up on Chapel to prep for the Spring Racing season. One is a little more casual/cool, the other is more for those happy to really treat themselves. Hope you enjoy!

EAT: Journeyman Cafe
169 Chapel St, Windsor.
Once Dukes Coffee Roasters and still respected specialists in the coffee crowd, this place is the type of café I always take anyone visiting from another state to (Michelle can vouch for this!). There is always something on the menu to impress and I have never been disappointed. Toasted waffles with blueberry compote, fresh fruit, cream and smoked maple syrup gives you just the energy you need for a full day of activity!

Treat yo’self: Greene St. Juice Co
325 Chapel Street, Prahran.
The fit out of Greene St Juices will raise your self confidence by 3 points the second you walk through the door, as all of a sudden you’re living that mono/scandi blogger life that seems to be so popular lately. Wait til you crack open one of their ‘exquisite, 100% organic elixirs’. #NextLevel

STAY: The Cullen
164 Commercial Road, Prahran.
Decked out with Adam Cullen artworks, The Cullen is the bold and daring design of the Artseries Hotel Group. Every room I have stayed in has had its own twist to it and it’s location allows you to come and go throughout the day if you need a midday kip (or is it just preggo me that does that?). The team at Art Series Hotel Group know what they’re doing and it’s notable.

SHOP:Life with Bird
563 Chapel St, South Yarra
Every season I pick up least one (may be an understatement) new piece from Life with Bird. They have the sort of items you’re always wishing you had in your closet because they’re so wearable. That dress that you can wear to the office and then add some red lippy and kick on for the night? Yep, they’ll have it. Perfect for Spring Racing pieces that you’ll actually be able to wear again.

Alice McCall
549 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Sister of Bird from Life with Bird, Alice has a very different design style, and again I’ve been a long time fan. Think ‘fabulous’; the pieces often involve lace, frills, cut outs, crochet and colour. You may not get as many wears out of your new Alice McCall but you sure will get a lot of looks (of approval, obvs).

Aje
Shop 2, 566 Chapel Street, South Yarra (Entrance via Oxford Street)
One of the lesser known jewels of Chapel St, Aje delivers every season with great outfit combos that allow you to put distressed denim with a casual tee and sequined skirt. Yes. Please.

COMMENT: Manning Cartell have created a resort collection which is unlike no other. In an industry which has the tendency to move towards being ‘inspired’ by what is already out, the Manning Cartell sisters have devised a look which is uniquely their own. Full of delicious silks and floaty full length dresses, the runway was heaving with wearable summer pieces. Sequins have been re-imagined into a slip dress like no other and a long-sleeved crop top (that perhaps only a few could actually get away with wearing- though we would try!). As a guest of Claremont Quarter, home to Perth’s only Manning Cartell boutique, I had the most beautiful evening catching up with the most incredible Australian fashion.

COMMENT: It was a swift showcase of some of Australia’s finest designers who opened Telstra Perth Fashion Festival 2016. Dion Lee never fails to impress with his clean, minimalist designs in a palette of muted tones. Romance Was Born (always a personal favourite) stole the show with a stunningly styled collection including the coolest embellished jackets and dresses. Bianca Spender and Flannel both sent fresh summery collections down the runway with countless wearable wardrobe staples. Zhivago closed with the expected silhouettes but in the new range of colours including a deluxe plum.

COMMENT: With Spring on my mind, I headed to the shops for some fresh new season threads. My brief to self was colour, brights, fun. What I came home with is black, black and little more black. I have to admit I was a little uninspired by the current winter collections with endless off-the-shoulder options on every single rack in every single store. However, I did cave and ended up opting for this C/MEO piece as it’s incredibly structured and ultra minimalist. Bec & Bridge currently have a strong edit of black dresses and this particular one should see me through the warmer months (I had to talk myself out of an incredible black velvet number as it was, you guessed it, off the shoulder). Now to inject some colour into my life…